Ellis hits out over Blades 'goal' that was refused

The Sheffield United assistant manager Sam Ellis believes his side were robbed of a goal that could have changed the course of their 3-1 defeat at home to Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night. The Blades were trailing 1-0 at the interval courtesy of Chris Iwelumo's 12th league goal of the season, but controversy reared its head after the restart.

Brian Howard's inswinging corner to the near post appeared to be clawed back from the behind the line by goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, but the goal was not given. Within minutes, Wolves had raced into a 3-0 lead – thanks to Iwelumo's second and a goal from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, before Matthew Spring's consolation.

Ellis, who stood in at the post-match press conference for manager Kevin Blackwell, was adamant the ball crossed the line. "It was in – there's no doubt about it. It was over the line," he said. "At 1-0, that makes it a different game. So as far as we are concerned, luck hasn't gone our way – and that happens."

Elsewhere on Tuesday, a rare goal from Liam Ridgewell and a Kevin Phillips header kept up the pressure on Wolves as second-placed Birmingham City beat Ipswich Town 2-1 at St Andrew's. Former Birmingham player Alex Bruce scored with six minutes remaining to ensure a nervy finish for the home side.

Third-placed Reading lost more ground on the leading duo as they were held 2-2 at Cardiff City. Reading, who lost to Southampton at the weekend, ended the game with 10 men following the dismissal of defender Andre Bikey. On-loan Wayne Routledge had put the home side ahead, before Kevin Doyle levelled for Reading. Bikey was then sent off for his foul on Michael Chopra, before Marcus Hahnemann brought down the same player – and Ross McCormack converted the resulting penalty. Brynjar Gunnarsson equalised five minutes into the second half. Malky Mackay's stint as Watford caretaker manager ended with an impressive 1-1 draw against Bristol City at Ashton Gate. Incoming manager Brendan Rodgers watched from the stands as the Hornets came from behind to earn a point. Nicky Maynard fired City ahead after 71 minutes, but seconds later Tommy Smith equalised with a right-footed curler from 25 yards.

Dexter Blackstock struck twice as Paulo Sousa got off the mark as Queen's Park Rangers manager with a 2-1 win against managerless Charlton Athletic, who parted company with Alan Pardew last Saturday, while Derby County drew 2-2 against Preston North End – with all the goals coming in the first half.

Rob Hulse gave Derby the lead. But Callum Davidson levelled from the penalty spot, following a foul on Ross Wallace. Neil Mellor put the visitors ahead, before Jordan Stewart volleyed home from distance.

Crystal Palace won 2-1 at Norwich City, with first-half goals from Craig Beattie and John Oster. Matthew Pattison pulled a goal back, but the home side could not find an equaliser.

Goals from Marcus Tudgay and Deon Burton earned Sheffield Wednesday all three points at Blackpool, while Daniel Fox secured Coventry City a point with a late leveller at the Ricoh Arena – after Jordi Gomez's free-kick had put visitors Swansea City ahead.

The bottom two Doncaster and Nottingham Forest shared a goalless draw – increasing the pressure on Forest manager Colin Calderwood – and there were no goals between Southampton and Plymouth Argyle.

In League One, Leicester stayed top after they beat Crewe 2-1 – Andy King scoring the winner as the hosts maintained their one-point lead over MK Dons, who hammered Hereford 3-0.

Wycombe extended their lead at the top of League Two to four points by beating Notts County 2-0 at Meadow Lane.